Chimera Reading Salon．New Urban Perspectives | Cities and Cuisine

Introduction

“Chimera Reading Salon．New Urban Perspectives” continues the spirit of The Chimera Group, a transdisciplinary arts society founded in the 1950s by Wang Da-Hong, who often invited artists for cultural gatherings at his home. This event began with “architecture” and gradually expanded to performing arts, art, literature, photography, and review, recreating the free and open transdisciplinarycommunication at Wang’s home. With “city” at its core, the first series invites Professor Chih-Hung Wang from the Graduate Institute of Building and Planning at National Taiwan University, and a special guest to explore new perspectives on urban space and culture through six of his translated books on the subject. The final lecture, “City and Food,” will be based on the book Foodies: Democracy and Distinction in the Gourmet Foodscape, which will lead participants to an in-depth discussion through an introductory reading by Wang and a sharing by special guest Jing-Yi Chen.

Foodies: Democracy and Distinction in the Gourmet Foodscape
A Dietary Research Writing from a Food Lover

When talking about foodies, what comes to mind? Is it the upper-class crowd frequenting Michelin-starred restaurants, or bloggers passionate about uncovering unique eateries? In truth, foodies are those who view food as central to their identity, not merely as sustenance. To them, food is both a source of calories and a cultural artifact, constantly subject to public appreciation and critique. The taste choices of individual food enthusiasts reveal not only personal palate preferences but also the ethnic, gender, or class tastes underlying different culinary aesthetics.

As demonstrated by consumer boycotts sparked by Taiwan's food safety crises, food can be deeply political, and foodie culture similarly reflects contemporary trends in “ethical consumption.” The rise of values like eating locally and seasonally, advocating eco-friendly farming practices, supporting artisanal foods against giants in the food industry, and embracing diverse cuisines all shape foodies’ judgments of food. This transforms us into citizens at the table, beginning with stepping into the world of foodies and understanding the social implications behind our meals.